| This article contains a plethora of information and | | | | Where are many of the consumers getting these |
| would be difficult to take in all at once. For that | | | | great deals and purchasing their "Teak like" outdoor |
| reason, I have broken this article into two parts. | | | | furniture? It is reported that many of these wood |
| "Caveat Emptor" is Latin for "Let the buyer beware". | | | | outdoor furniture sets are being purchased from big |
| If you have Teak wood outdoor furniture, there is | | | | chain department stores located in each and every |
| very little you will need to do be ready for spring and | | | | town across the United States, as well as local |
| summer gatherings to begin. If you purchased "teak | | | | grocery and drugstores, and on the internet. |
| oiled" or "better than teak wood" outdoor furniture, | | | | Take a look at Nyatoh versus Teak in one area of |
| you may be in for a big surprise. | | | | wood measurement: Durability. Nyatoh wood is |
| There are several outlets that are selling wood | | | | generally rated as Class 3, nondurable to moderately |
| outdoor furniture using phrases like, "Teak oiled wood | | | | durable, and has a low resistance to termite attack. |
| furniture". Teak oiled means just that: the wood that | | | | Its sapwood is liable to powder-post beetle attack. |
| the furniture is made from has been oiled with Teak | | | | Other woods more familiar to us with this similar |
| oil. Period. It is not Teak wood as many of us who | | | | durability rating are: American Cherry: African |
| may have purchased it would have hoped to believe. | | | | mahogany: Japanese Oak: Southern Pine: American |
| Part of the problem is that we are all looking for the | | | | Walnut: and Western Red Cedar, just to name a |
| "deal". We want to pay as little as possible for high | | | | few. |
| quality items so badly that we often overlook or | | | | Teak woods durability is classified as Class 1, Very |
| don't look at all at what we are actually getting for | | | | Durable. Woods in this class include Ebony: Iroka: |
| our money. | | | | Makore: and Opepe to name a few. And this is just |
| What does "Teak like" furniture mean? Does that | | | | one area of measurement we are looking at, (just as |
| mean that the wood has high silica content like Teak | | | | a side note, class 2, which is Durable, contains familiar |
| wood? Does it mean that the wood will weather all | | | | woods like American Oak: Balau: Sweet Chestnut: |
| the natural elements and last 75-100 years left | | | | Cedar: Ekki: and Karri woods to name a few). |
| outdoors, like Teak wood will? What exactly does it | | | | Nyatoh wood is protected with oil. Once treated, this |
| mean? | | | | wood should consistently be treated each year to |
| Look at this verbiage on any number of websites or | | | | maintain some protection from the elements. When it |
| in any number of stores and you will see it. Some of | | | | comes to Nyatoh wood, the consumer must pay |
| these outdoor wood furniture pieces that are the | | | | particular attention to sufficiently oiling the "joints" |
| "GREAT DEALS" are made from a wood called | | | | where the protection is needed most. If water gets |
| Nyatoh, not Teak. It is sold as an exotic hardwood | | | | trapped in the joints of this wood, wood rot will |
| and many outlets and advertisers call it a wood which | | | | begin. |
| wears and behaves like teak? Go on to E-Bay and | | | | There is absolutely nothing wrong with Nyatoh wood |
| you will find sellers who are advertising it as "stronger | | | | at all. It is being fashioned in very similar styles of |
| than teak wood". In fact, that is not true. | | | | other high quality outdoor furniture. If you are looking |
| Who are these marketers trying to kid? Guess what, | | | | for the deal, make this purchase. Just be aware of |
| they are trying to kid us all. Marketers are very good | | | | what it is you are really buying. It is NOT Teak wood. |
| at putting spins on things to make us, the buying | | | | You will need to maintain it differently than you |
| public, think one thing, and because we did not pay | | | | would Teak wood and you may need to replace it |
| attention, it turns out to be something completely | | | | more frequently just as you have your previous |
| different. | | | | outdoor patio furniture. |